OREANDA-NEWS. May 24, 2013. President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has met with Speaker of the House of the People of the Parliament of the Republic of India Meira Kumar. During the meeting the President pointed to the importance of cooperation with India for Belarus.

“India is a huge, extremely rich country and a world leader. Cooperation with India is vitally important for us,” the head of state said. Alexander Lukashenko noted that the bilateral ties have a long-standing history. In recent years the bilateral cooperation has been gaining momentum.

Speaking about trade and economic relations, the President noted that the existing trade of USD500 million is not really much. “I think we need to set more ambitious goals and advance from mere trade to more sophisticated forms of cooperation, set up joint ventures in Belarus and India and expand our trade and economic cooperation,” the Belarusian leader said.

As far as politics and diplomacy are concerned, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that the two countries have no problems in this regard. The Belarusian head of state thanked India for its position in international organizations. “We appreciate it a lot. We will always support India, because India has never failed to support Belarus,” the President noted.

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that Belarus and India have created a solid basis for cooperation. The visit of the Speaker of the Indian Parliament to Belarus is a testimony to the determination of the two countries to foster bilateral cooperation.

Meira Kumar gave the Belarusian President best regards from the President, Prime Minister and the people of India. “Belarus and India have always maintained cordial and friendly relations,” she said. Meira Kumar added that in recent years the two countries have managed to promote cooperation in trade and economy.